This week’s Yarn Along (via Small Things) looks very like last week’s. The cardigan has come on – a bit – though it doesn’t much look like it. I’ve completed the yoke, so now I’m slogging my way down the body in small snatched of time (usually after meals, waiting for the children to finish.) It’s great fun to wallow in my own yarn though – something I haven’t really had chance to do for a little while.

(I’m biased but I think it’s great stuff.)

Book-wise, I have managed to get hold of a large chunk of the Little House on the Prairie series through our local charity shops. They are 60′s-70′s Puffin editions, and all (except The Long Winter) are in very good condition. I grew up with this era of paperbacks (though I’m only 33!) so they fit right into our bookshelves and already feel very familiar. I’ve never actually read the series before, but I started Little House on the Prairie while waiting for the washing to dry at the weekend and really enjoyed it.

I’m finding the parenting is a great excuse to finally read/re-read all those classic children’s books that have been on my list for years.

W read original version of The Wind in Willows at the end of the last year and had a great time. I bought my sister Swallows and Amazons (to go with her theatre tickets to see the musical), at christmas, and got myself a copy while I was at it. And after crying at the end of a very, very heavily abridged version of The Railway Children (father steps off the train and I’m a puddle of tears!) I’ve promised myself some time with the original novel at some point this year.

Excitingly, you can get a load of these classic texts for free via Project Gutenberg, which works well if you have some sort of digital reader. Mind you I’m a sucker for a second-hand edition from amazon or charity shops.

Why do I feel like I’m still trying to catch up?

It’s the 2nd week of january and I feel like I’m still getting over christmas*. I’m not the only person to feel this way, surely?

Last week FB was definitely missing the stream of friends and relatives who’ve been around over the christmas break. Suddenly he was at home during the day with just his sister and mum for company and he didn’t quite know what to do with himself.

And me? Well I have yet to feel that ‘clean slate’ feeling that usual comes with a new year. I have some important non-Oxford Kitchen Yarns projects which have to be out the door in the next couple of weeks, as well as a broken camera, and limited light.

Point being? It’s wretched but I’m probably going to be quiet for the next couple of weeks. The shop will still be open, and there is new stock ready to be added, which hopefully will happen at the end of the month. Miserable huh?

But then I’ll be back, and new, exciting yarn things will happen.

I promise!

*Not in a food or drink way. Just so you know. ;)

Please forgive the less-than-stellar photography but… The first Darn it and Stitch pattern book – Darn, Knit and Stitch Vol. 1 is out! And available at the shop.

I designed the mitts on the cover and three of the other projects inside and I’m really really proud to be part of such a great project.

Each project is simple enough for a beginner, but fun enough and useful enough for even the most experienced knitter to enjoy. Each project also only takes one 50g ball of DK. Lots to love.

(Personally I’m chuffed to bits!)

(Mixed spice playdough – and christmas cake decorations that were my grandparents.)

And all that’s left it to wish you all a very wonderful end of the year!

I’ll be back in the New Year, with lots of yarn and plans! Thank you very much for supporting me and my little yarn business!

Oxford Kitchen Yarns will be at St Andrews School Craft Fair (on London Road, next to Co-op Supermarket) this sunday (4th Dec) from 11am-3pm. There will be an entrance fee on the door but it’ll only be something like 50p, I would guess.

Come squish the yarn and see all the colours in person!
Come see the results of the secret project I’ve been working on!

Dyeing with woad is really satisfying!

At the moment I probably do a big woad dye every three months, and the results (and over dyeing etc) keep me busy for a decent chunk of time afterwards. This lot will end up as about 5 other colours by the end of the next couple of weeks or so.

(Btw – all the woad I use it grown and processed in the UK. This always makes me really happy.)

In other news…

SO EXCITING! (I have a date with my spinning wheel in about a fortnight (once I’ve ushered a couple of big ongoing work projects out the door.) Hopefully I’ll have some in the shop before christmas.